Patna: Passengers across Bihar may have to dig deeper into their pockets as the Bihar State Road Transport Corporation (BSRTC) has proposed a fare hike of up to 15%, potentially taking effect before the Holi festival. The increase, if approved by the state Transport Department, will apply to all government-operated buses, from city routes to long-distance services.
City commuters are expected to face modest rises of one to five rupees on local routes. Electric buses will see the largest relative increase, with fares from Kargil Chowk to Danapur Station possibly rising from Rs 35 to Rs 40. Minimum fares for CNG and non-AC buses are likely to increase from Rs 6 to Rs 7, while city electric bus fares could jump from Rs 10 to Rs 12.
For intercity travel, the impact will be more pronounced. Fares on routes such as Patna to IIT Bihta and Patna to Paliganj are projected to increase by up to Rs 12. Long-distance routes will bear the steepest hikes: passengers travelling from Patna to Raxaul could see an increase of Rs 44, while the Patna–Samastipur route may rise by Rs 17. Major corridors including Patna to Muzaffarpur, Darbhanga, Sitamarhi, Madhubani, Jaynagar, Bihar Sharif, and Nawada are likely to experience fare increases of between Rs 17 and Rs 40, with similar rises expected for semi-deluxe services.
BSRTC currently operates 525 buses across the state, including 125 city buses (112 CNG and 12 electric) and 400 long-route buses (mostly diesel, with 12 electric vehicles). The corporation cites rising fuel prices, maintenance costs, and operational expenses as the primary reasons for the proposed fare revision, noting that fares have remained unchanged since 2021 despite escalating costs.
The Transport Department is expected to review the proposal next month, with fare increases likely to be implemented in March, ahead of the festive season.
